Journey finishes fast for Gosden and Dettori

Flying high: Dettori takes to the air after Journey’s four-length success at Ascot. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Journey, runner-up in last year’s QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, went one better when landing the Group One race in great style.

The 4/1 chance won by four lengths and a neck from Speedy Boarding and Queen’s Trust, and when returning to the winner’s enclosure was dismounted by Frankie Dettori in his own aerial way.

Trainer John Gosden said: “She’s a fabulous filly and has beaten an exceptional filly in Speedy Boarding, who won the Prix de l’Opera just 13 days ago. She is a bit quirky at home – she’s one of those fillies that you don’t argue with. She’s got her mind set on what she wants to do and you go with her – if you try and impose your will upon her she will quickly tell you what to do.”

Gosden has lost his champion trainers’ crown to Aidan O’Brien and said: “We’ve had a great season with plenty of good winners, but you don’t have a Golden Horn every year.

“I’d say he was the best horse I’ve trained in my life and I was lucky to have him. Someone called Aidan O’Brien has had a very good season this year and we’ve all been looking in the shadow of the Colossus.

“We’ve lots of promising two-year-olds, and that’s the nature of the game – you are only as good as your horses and it’s nice to come here and win on QIPCO Champions Day.”

Owner George Strawbridge said Journey would remain in training next year, which will delight Dettori. The jockey said: “I can’t believe the turn of foot that she showed today. She picked up like she had roller skates! It was instantaneous. She’s not straightforward, but she keeps on winning so I like her!”

James Fanshawe was unsure about future plans for Speedy Boarding. He said: “The owner (Helena Springfield Ltd) wants to retire her because of the appeal from a broodmare perspective but from a trainer’s perspective, I want her to stay in training because she has so much scope.”

Seventh Heaven, the 5-4 favourite, came home fifth. Aidan O’Brien said: “The race was a little bit messy and rough but she has come back OK. She ran well enough.”